As NPR reports, a Florida bill would bar doctors -- in particular pediatricians -- from asking their patients if they own guns. Gov. Rick Scott (R) is expected to sign the bill this week, which would make Florida the first state with such a law.

Scott's office would not release a timeline on when the governor plans to sign the bill. But Scott's press secretary, Lane Wright, told TPM "it's likely he will support it."

The National Rifle Association says doctors asking their patients about firearms in the home intrudes on Second Amendment rights. NRA lobbyists helped write the bill.

"We take our children to pediatricians for medical care -- not moral judgment, not privacy intrusions," former NRA president Marion Hammer said.

The law violates the first amendment. They should be allowed to ask anything they want. On the other hand, you should have the right to refuse to answer, politely or otherwise. We have enough laws. It’s time for people to take responsibility for their own lives and ability to say “shove it” to people asking questions they don’t want to answer. e.g. don’t give out your social security number unless it is a financial requirement. I’ve given out false ones from time to time if someone is really insistent.

I don't know what your liberal cousin is screeching about, but I think this law is a bad law. The government has no business telling one private person (the doctor) what they can or cannot say to another private person (the patient or guardian). I don't necessarily like that some doctors ask about guns, but it's not the government's place to tell them they can't.

That said, I have no problem with a pediatrician talking with parents about common household dangers, including weapons, as long as they are also asking about pools, stairs, household cleaners, etc. Some do.

True story although a little TMI for some. When I was in labor with my first child, a nurse asked me about tattoos (none), piercings (ears only), etc... Then she asked me if I owned any guns. I was stunned and being in active labor, not really with it all the way. I asked, “you mean, in my vagina?” My OB/GYN laughed and laughed. The nurse got mad as heck. So, yes, this is a common question. My husband got to use a similar line when asked before a colonoscopy if he owned any guns. You can imagine his answer as to the possible location?

Your polite refusal to answer could be noted officially as a lack of cooperation on your part, and entered in your medical record in some states, IIRC.

At least in my state the best answer to “do you have guns in you home?” is “I’m not going to answer that question, I’m reporting you to the state medical examiners’ board for asking, and I’m getting myself and my family another primary care provider! Good day!”

So? I agree that doctors shouldn't be talking about guns (though, again, in the context of a broader "keep dangerous items away from children" conversation, it might make sense), but I don't think the government should have any role in mandating what a doctor can and cannot say to a patient.

He actually left that doctor and found a new one. He said that he wanted a doctor that was interested in his health and not about owning/not owning guns. I mean the concern was polyps and cancer testing... not 38’s and rifles.

The government has been pushing this, and they have the AAP on board. Under the new records "privacy" act - actually the opposite - the government can get into your records to find out if you own guns, once the doc has pried into your business.

All this is doing is stopping the doctors from being good little government agents.

None of my doctors have ever asked this question (I would have responded that any firearms I had were lost in that tragic kayaking accident . . . )

Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.